With the holiday season in full swing, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. But you know it’s important because it makes you feel better, so how can you squeeze it into your busy day? Well, in the ongoing fight to keep fit, one move reigns supreme – the burpee.

If you’ve never tried a burpee before, think of it as a push up and jump squat combined. Yes, they’re a challenge, but that's why they work. They’ll give you the benefits of a cardio and strength-training workout, and you can vary speed and reps to suit your needs.

Let’s get to it.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms by your sides.
2. Sink your bottom back and lower into a squat position.
3. Lean forward to place your hands on the floor.
4. Kick both your legs back into a plank position. If this is too hard, start off by stepping back 1 at a time. Now it’s time for that push-up.
5. Jump your legs forward to return to a squatting position.
6. Stand up straight, reaching your hands up above your head and jump up. Now start again.
7. Work up to 10 reps in a row without a pause.